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Helton incident report released

Rockies' 1B admits to drinking red wine before getting in car

By Troy E. Renck The Denver Post

Posted:
02/07/2013 10:56:05 PM MST

Updated:
02/07/2013 10:56:12 PM MST

FILE- In this April 24, 2012, file photo, Colorado Rockies' Todd Helton warms up on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. Helton has been arrested on a charge of driving under the influence, the team announced Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. The team says Helton was arrested Wednesday morning in the Denver suburb of Thornton. No other details have been released. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
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Gene J. Puskar
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FILE- In this April 24, 2012, file photo, Colorado Rockies' Todd Helton warms up on deck during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. Helton has been arrested on a charge of driving under the influence, the team announced Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. The team says Helton was arrested Wednesday morning in the Denver suburb of Thornton. No other details have been released. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said that he had "two igloo cups of red wine" before being arrested early Wednesday for driving under the influence and careless driving, according to an incident report released by the Thornton Police Department on Thursday.

Helton's admission occurred during the booking process. Helton made "spontaneous statements about drinking two igloo cups of red wine" at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the police report.

At 2:08 a.m. Wednesday, an officer responded to a call from a driver that a black pickup truck was weaving on Colorado Boulevard and had struck a median. The officer located the vehicle shortly afterward at a gas station at 12780 Colorado Blvd. in Thornton.

The officer first made contact with Helton, 39, when he walked out of the gas station holding his wallet, chewing tobacco and lottery tickets. He detected a "strong odor" of alcohol. Helton initially tried to avoid eye contact, and his speech was slurred and hard to understand, according to the report. The officer described Helton's eyes as bloodshot and watery. Helton told the officer that he was at the gas station to get his truck washed, echoing what he told The Denver Post in a brief conversation Wednesday.

Helton was informed that another driver had contacted the police regarding a possible DUI. The driver alleged that Helton turned into the oncoming lane on Colorado Boulevard, swerved and hit a median on the left near a crosswalk before 128th Avenue.

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Helton denied hitting the curb.

After his arrest, Helton consented to a breath test while travelling to the police station and was "respectful and professional throughout the entire process."

Matt Barnes, a spokesman for the Thornton Police Department, said it's department policy not to release any alcohol-test results before trial. He said when the investigation is complete and turned over to the district attorney, it is up to that agency whether it's released or not.

Helton apologized for the incident on Wednesday, taking responsibility for his poor judgement while asking for forgiveness.

"My entire career I have worked to set a positive example for my family and in our community and I fell far short of this standard. I sincerely ask my family, the Colorado Rockies organization, Major League Baseball and the community to accept my apology. I make no excuses and accept full responsibility for my actions."

The Rockies have been in contact with Helton, who is not facing any disciplinary action, though the club expressed disappointment with his arrest, saying, in part, "that (Helton) clearly understands the seriousness of his poor decision, the harm that could have been inflicted on others and the embarrassment his mistake has caused to himself, his family, the Colorado Rockies organization and to Major League Baseball."

Helton, the most accomplished player in franchise history, is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $5 million, and is expected to retire at the end of the upcoming season.

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